Gideon Welles

Gideon Welles
Mathew Benjamin Brady / Levin Corbin Handy · Public domain · source
Name	Gideon Welles
Office	United States Secretary of the Navy
President	Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson
Term start	March 7, 1861
Term end	March 4, 1869
Predecessor	Isaac Toucey
Successor	Adolph E. Borie

Gideon Welles was a prominent American politician and United States Secretary of the Navy who served under Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. Born on July 1, 1802, in Glastonbury, Connecticut, Welles was a key figure in the American Civil War, working closely with Ulysses S. Grant, William Tecumseh Sherman, and David Farragut. He was a strong supporter of the Union Navy and played a crucial role in the development of the United States Navy during the war. Welles was also a close friend and advisor to Abraham Lincoln, often attending meetings with Salmon P. Chase, William Seward, and Edwin Stanton.

● Early Life and Education

Gideon Welles was born in Glastonbury, Connecticut, to Samuel Welles and Ann Hale. He attended Cheshire Academy and later studied at Norwich University, where he graduated in 1824. After completing his education, Welles worked as a journalist, editing the Hartford Times and later the New York Evening Post, alongside William Cullen Bryant. During this time, he developed close relationships with prominent politicians, including Martin Van Buren, John Quincy Adams, and Henry Clay. Welles was also an avid supporter of the Democratic Party, attending the 1848 Democratic National Convention and later becoming a member of the Free Soil Party.

● Career

Before entering politics, Welles worked as a lawyer, practicing in Hartford, Connecticut, and later in New York City. He was a strong advocate for the Abolitionist movement, often working with William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, and Harriet Beecher Stowe. In 1846, Welles was appointed as the Chief of the Bureau of Provisions and Clothing for the United States Navy, a position he held until 1849. During this time, he worked closely with Matthew Perry, John Rodgers, and Isaac Toucey. Welles later became a member of the Connecticut State Legislature, serving from 1827 to 1835, and again from 1842 to 1843. He was also a delegate to the 1852 Democratic National Convention and the 1856 Republican National Convention, where he met Abraham Lincoln, Joshua Speed, and Lyman Trumbull.

● Secretary of

the Navy As United States Secretary of the Navy, Welles played a crucial role in the development of the Union Navy during the American Civil War. He worked closely with Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and David Farragut to implement the Anaconda Plan, a strategy aimed at blockading Confederate ports and controlling the Mississippi River. Welles was also responsible for the development of the Monitor-class warship, which was designed by John Ericsson and played a significant role in the Battle of Hampton Roads. He worked with Gustavus Fox, John Dahlgren, and Samuel Du Pont to modernize the United States Navy and prepare it for the challenges of the war. Welles was a strong supporter of the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, and worked closely with Salmon P. Chase and Edwin Stanton to implement the policy.

● Later Life and Legacy

After the American Civil War, Welles continued to serve as United States Secretary of the Navy under Andrew Johnson, until his resignation in 1869. He later became a prominent figure in the Republican Party, attending the 1868 Republican National Convention and the 1872 Republican National Convention. Welles was a strong supporter of Ulysses S. Grant and worked closely with him during his presidency. He was also a close friend and advisor to Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, and Chester A. Arthur. Welles died on February 11, 1878, in Hartford, Connecticut, and was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery. His legacy as a prominent figure in the American Civil War and the development of the United States Navy has been recognized by historians, including Allan Nevins, Bruce Catton, and Doris Kearns Goodwin.

● Personal Life

Gideon Welles was married to Mary Jane Hale, and they had three children together. He was a close friend and advisor to many prominent politicians, including Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and William Tecumseh Sherman. Welles was also a strong supporter of the Abolitionist movement and worked closely with William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, and Harriet Beecher Stowe. He was a member of the Episcopal Church and attended services at Trinity College Chapel in Hartford, Connecticut. Welles was also a talented writer and published several books, including his memoirs, which were edited by Edgar Thaddeus Welles and published posthumously. Category:United States Secretaries of the Navy